Passenger Drop-Off Lay-By on Bloor Street East

Required for Private Sector Development.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the report (May 25, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, to include in future reports respecting road construction or modifications, an indication as to whether the local Councillors whose wards are affected are in agreement with the revisions proposed.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following report (May 25, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is:

(1)to obtain Council authority to construct a development related sidewalk and road modification on Bloor Street East and to advertise the required construction by-law; and

(2)to obtain approval to amend the appropriate by-laws.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funding for this road modification is the responsibility of the developer.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)approval be given to proceed with the construction of a passenger drop-off lay-by at 321 Bloor Street East;

(2)subject to construction of the passenger drop-off lay-by;

(a)the current stopping prohibition on the south side of Bloor Street East, between St. George Street and Mount Pleasant Road, currently in effect from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays, be rescinded;

(b)stopping be prohibited on the south side of Bloor Street East, from St. George Street to a point approximately 27 metres east of Jarvis Street, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays;

(c)stopping be prohibited on the south side of Bloor Street East, from a point approximately 42 metres east of Jarvis Street to Mount Pleasant Road, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays;

(d)standing be prohibited at all times on the south side of Bloor Street East, from a point approximately 27 metres east of Jarvis Street to a point approximately 15 metres further east thereof;

(3)the appropriate by-law(s) be amended accordingly; and

(4)the introduction of any necessary Bills be authorized.

Background:

The construction of a passenger drop-off lay-by was requested by Eastern Construction on behalf of Rogers Cantel Inc., which is the developer of 321 Bloor Street East. The purpose of the lay-by is to allow Rogers Cantel Inc. employees a passenger drop-off area in front of the building. The lay-by will ensure that vehicular traffic is not disrupted on Bloor Street East as this activity occurs. The cost of design, construction, supervision and administration of this work is being paid 100 percent by the developer. Details of the road modification required at this location are discussed below and shown on the attached plan.

Description of Work:

Bloor Street, east of Jarvis Street, is a five-lane roadway with a pavement width of approximately 16 metres. A westbound left-turn lane exists on Bloor Street East at Jarvis Street. The current parking regulations on the south side of Bloor Street East at this location prohibit parking at all times and stopping in the afternoon peak period on weekdays. The existing sidewalk width on the south side, in front of 321 Bloor Street East is approximately 4.9 metres.

The proposed passenger drop-off lay-by on the south side of Bloor Street East is 15 metres long and 2.3 metres wide. The existing public sidewalk width of 4.9 metres will be reduced to 2.6 metres, however, since the building is set back from the street line the actual walkway width is 6.7 metres. A "No Standing" regulation is recommended to be enacted within the lay-by to discourage long term parking.

To construct the lay-by the following work will be undertaken:

(a)removal and reconstruction of concrete curb and gutter and sidewalk;

(b)construction of concrete road base and asphalt pavement; and

(c)potential utility relocations.

Pedestrian and Cycling Issues:

2000 pedestrians use the south side of Bloor Street East during a typical eight-hour study period. The proposed sidewalk width is consistent with the sidewalk width just east of this location and is considered to be an acceptable trade-off since the alternative is to block vehicular traffic in the curb lane on Bloor Street East with the passenger drop-off activity.

While there is no physical impact on cyclists caused by the modification, there will be operational friction as motorists re-enter the curb lane traffic stream from the lay-by. However, the existing situation has cyclists moving around stopped vehicles in the curb lane, causing much the same conflict.

Summary:

A passenger drop-off lay-by has been requested by Rogers Cantel Inc. for the convenience of its employees at 321 Bloor Street East. The sidewalk beside the lay-by will be narrowed from 4.9 metres to 2.6 metres in order to accommodate passenger drop-off although the actual walkway width will be 6.7 metres because of the building set back. All costs will be borne by the developer.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Ms. Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas, Manager, Project Planning and Design, 392-8590, Fax: 392-4426.

Ms. Jacqueline White, Acting Manager, Central Traffic, 397-5021, Fax: 392-4426.

(A copy of the location plans, which were appended to the foregoing report, has been forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the June 15 and 16, 1998 meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)